Interview
Hamda Al Qubaisi motivated to push onwards in the podium fight as she targets win on her final F1 ACADEMY weekend
After a year of consistent point-scoring for Hamda Al Qubaisi, the Red Bull Racing driver has her sights set on something bigger as she lines up on the second row of the grid for the final three races of the F1 ACADEMY season.
The 22-year-old Emirati gave the home crowd something to celebrate, as she shot to the top of the timing during the final few minutes of Qualifying before having to settle for third at the chequered flag.
She will start from the third for Race 1 and 2, and launch off from the fourth place grid slot for her final race in the series on Sunday, but she believes the potential was there for more.
“I am feeling good,” Al Qubaisi said after the final Qualifying session of the season. “We knew that the pace here was going to be good. I still think that there was a bit of room for improvement, as I had a bit of traffic in my best lap and I feel like that limited me a bit, I could have challenged for maybe P1 or P2. Anyways, I think the top three is a really good result and we can fight from here.”
Al Qubaisi has managed to finish within the top 10 at every round so far this season, with her best result being a third place finish in Barcelona’s Round 3. She started that race from fifth on the grid, climbing two positions to get her first and only piece of silverware this season, so hopes this result could lead to a huge haul of points for her and MP Motorsport.
“I feel like I have not been doing so well in Qualifying for the whole season, so to finally get a double P3 is really good for me,” Al Qubaisi confessed. “Just knowing that I started from further back and I was able to make it to the podium is motivation for me to go further on the grid, and be able to even make a win possible.
After her impressive pace in Qualifying, and knowing the Yas Marina Circuit so well from other series, Al Qubaisi is confident going into this final trio of races. However, despite circuit modifications in recent years, overtaking can still prove to be a challenge.
“I think it (overtaking) is going to be difficult. I know this track, I grew up here and I have done many races here, so I am going to take my experience with me and try to challenge for P2 and P1. I need to make sure we get a good start off the line, which we have been doing great this whole season, and the race is long plus there will be many opportunities to pass. We have three races as well, so many opportunities to be there on the podium!”
This weekend will also mark the final weekend for Hamda Al Qubaisi, and her sister Amna, in F1 ACADEMY. The two joined the series in its debut season last year, with Hamda Al Qubaisi picking up four wins on her way to finish third in the Drivers’ Standings in 2023.
Last season was a real rollercoaster for Hamda Al Qubaisi, as she managed to go from sitting in a hospital bed with a broken arm to the top step of the F1 ACADEMY podium in an astonishing 75 days. Since then, she has totalled up four victories, a further four podiums, and took two pole positions in Zandvoort last year.
“It is good for me to end in this positive way,” she added when reflecting on her final weekend, and starting on the second-row of the grid for the three remaining races.
“We still have three races to go, but already with Qualifying it is very promising for me. To end on a high would be good for me, knowing that we are able to do it, leave with the motivation to continue, and know that my pace is there.
“I know this season helped me a lot in terms of exposure, and a lot of things. It is a big learning curve for me, and I know I will have many opportunities later.”